The guide to 100 rare and original first names to engrave in gold

The announcement of a birth is always a jolt of joy. But once the initial excitement subsides, a question arises, gentle and sometimes obsessive: what will his or her name be? Choosing a name is like giving your child their very first garment, the one they will wear for their entire life. In 2026, the trend is moving away from the conventional. Parents are seeking something exceptional, a meaningful memory that stands out from the very first day on the playground.

At Atelier Paulin, we see thousands of letters pass through our doors each year. Our artisans shape these unique identities in precious metal, transforming a simple surname into a handcrafted jewel imbued with emotion. To inspire you, we explored emerging trends to compile this list of 100 rare and original first names for 2026.

The Art of Choosing: Why Originality Is the New Luxury

Choosing a rare name isn't just a matter of fashion; it's a quest for individuality. In a globalized world, giving a name that has a soul provides your child with a personal touchstone. At Atelier Paulin, we believe the beauty of a name lies in its form: when handcrafted from gold wire, each curve of the letter becomes a work of art.

Ranking of the rarest and most original first names crafted at Atelier Paulin for 2026

Cléo • Ysée • Nélio • Mina • Malya • Nélya • Lexie • Naé • Kélya • Dalva • Erell • Enoha • Eleanor • Aïna • Athéna • Alyana • Saveria • Orphée • Sevan • Yuna • Sienna • Zyed • Simao • Sybille • Prune • Philippa • Tilio • Soleya • Timael • Paulin • Plume • Neela • Liwenn • Maïana • Noëline • Lévana • Maïtane • Leyan • Maeve • Maïwenn • Lubin • Lirio • Merlin • Maxendre • Léonore • Lyssana • Lizéa • Noria • Menzo • Léontine • Loën • Inaya • Lelio • Elaïa • Hanaé • Elizio • Eloane • Kaylee • Enes • Kléa • Eziah • Kaïs • Leïa • Adès • Automne • Aya • Adem • Aël • Aidan • Ayleen • Alyzéa • Ama • Amaya • Aylin • Arsène • Armel • Arwen • Yalina • Yenzo • Reem • Zia • Reyhan • Mayer • Rosalia • Tyam • Tyliann • Tyrone • Varun • Vera • Victorine • Vincenzo • Adenora • Yliann • Aliya • Ysao • Samaël • Palmyre • Thalia • Félice • Satine

Major trends in rare and original first names

Nature-inspired & poetic first names

Some evoke nature, the seasons, or the elements: Plume, Automne, Orphée, Soleya, Lirio, Aël, Elaïa. These are light and sensory names, chosen for their musicality and gentleness, magnificent once handcrafted in precious metal.

Mythological & Ancient First Names

Names with mythological or historical resonance are common, such as Athena, Eleanor, Merlin, Arsène, Léontine, Philippa, Adès, and Varun. These choices affirm a strong personality and a search for roots, with a touch of timelessness ideal for 18-karat gold (750/1000).

Names from elsewhere

Many first names have Mediterranean, oriental, or Celtic sounds: Simao, Amaya, Noria, Enes, Aylin, Saveria, Dalva, Erell, Naé. This cosmopolitanism reflects a cultural openness and a family heritage that one wishes to honor with pride through a meaningful memory.

Why does your child's name deserve to be sculpted?

Once the name is chosen, the desire to see it, touch it, and wear it becomes natural. At Atelier Paulin, we don't simply engrave a name on an industrial metal plate. We use a unique artisanal jewelry technique: drawing in space.

The magic of precious thread

When we receive an order for a rare name like "Cassiopeia" or "Lysander," our artisans take a wire of 18-karat gold (750/1000) or 14-karat gold-filled metal (585/1000). Without a mold or any visible solder, they bend the metal with infinite precision so that the letters flow together in a fluid motion. This process transforms your child's name into a meaningful keepsake that you will wear close to your skin.

A useful piece of jewelry for everyday use

Our jewelry isn't meant to stay in a box. Because we use precious metals like 925 sterling silver and solid gold, it's perfectly suitable for everyday wear. It withstands baths, sleepless nights, and the cuddles of your newborn, without ever losing its shine. Giving a new mother a piece of Atelier Paulin jewelry is giving her a unique and thoughtful gift she'll never want to take off.

How to personalize your choice?

The first name is the foundation, but the medium is just as important.

1. The Name Necklace : To wear your identity like a banner of pride.

2. The Cord Bracelet : Discreet, colourful and interchangeable, ideal for active parents.

3. The Children's Initial Cord Bracelet : The subtlety of a single hand-crafted letter, designed for the delicate wrists of small children.

Conclusion: Your story begins here

In 2026, more than ever, we will need meaning and reconnection. Choosing a rare first name is already telling a story. At Atelier Paulin, our job is to give form to that story through the brilliance of our gold jewelry or the purity of 925 silver.

Whether you're drawn to a mythological, botanical, or vintage name, remember that it's the intention behind the name, hand-carved in precious metal, that makes it a meaningful keepsake. Our 18-karat gold and 14-karat gold-filled creations are designed to feel like a second skin—unique and thoughtful gifts that are perfectly useful for everyday wear.

Ready to turn this choice into a timeless object? Explore our Birth jewelry and children's jewelry , and imagine the name of your future child coming to life under the fingers of our Parisian artisans.